I've listened to the tape of the March 19th WPA board meeting. I'm not going to transcribe every word of each report. I'm reporting what I heard to the best of my ability. Please listen to the tape yourself.
Secretary, Cline included information in her report regarding the upcoming Easter event. She thanked a number of residents for assisting in the preparations. When asked, how much the event would cost she stated around $500. McBride asked her if she was going to make a motion to approve an expenditure of up to $500. She said no, that her budget line item had been approved when this year's budget was passed. McBride said that every board member had to seek the approval of the board on any expense over $200. I believe McBride asked again if she would make the motion and she stated no. In the end, DeMarchi made the motion to approve up to $500 for the Easter event. The motion passed.
COMMENTS:
Members, this is just another example of a long chain of events that indicated that many members on the board are willing to turn the other way, when it comes to policy and procedure. Up until the point that McBride brought the issue regarding approval to the table, no one else mentioned, or cautioned the board that approval was necessary. Even after McBride brought it up, no one jumped in and said "that's right". No one advised Cline that she should be taking the lead in seeking approval, or that McBride was correct. McBride, went on to explain that every committee chair has a budget that was approved within the total budget. I recall him giving an example of a committee chair having a budget of $15,000 and asking if the chair could just spend it. We all know they can't. Residents, this lack of interest, the empowering of some board members above the powers levied in our governing documents, should cause you concern. Many on this board are making up, or ignoring the governing documents, and allowing board members favored among the group to wield more power than they should have.
